Egypt and Nigeria meet in the third-place playoff of the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday, January 17, 2026. The match kicks off at 16:00 GMT+0 at Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca, Morocco. Referee details remain unconfirmed at this stage, but the neutral venue adds an extra layer of unpredictability to this bronze-medal clash.
Both teams arrive after painful semifinal exits, Egypt falling 1-0 to Senegal and Nigeria losing on penalties to hosts Morocco following a 0-0 draw after extra time. Pride remains on the line for the Pharaohs, who seek to end a long wait for continental silverware since 2010, while the Super Eagles aim to salvage something positive from a campaign that showcased their attacking potential.
Betting Tips and Match Insights
This third-place encounter often produces open football as motivation dips after semifinal heartbreak. Egypt vs Nigeria prediction today focuses on recent patterns, scoring trends and tactical edges that could decide the outcome. Both sides showed attacking intent in group and knockout stages, yet defensive lapses appeared in crucial moments. Recent form suggests Nigeria carry slight momentum into the fixture. Key data from head-to-head and current performances points toward goals on either side.
Egypt Results
Egypt head into this match looking to bounce back from semifinal disappointment against Senegal. The Pharaohs showed resilience in earlier rounds with solid wins but struggled to create clear chances in the last four. Mohamed Salah remains central to their hopes despite the recent setback.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 14.01.26 | ACN | Senegal vs Egypt | 1-0 | L |
| 10.01.26 | ACN | Egypt vs Ivory Coast | 3-2 | W |
| 05.01.26 | ACN | Egypt vs Benin | 3-1 | W |
| 29.12.25 | ACN | Angola vs Egypt | 0-0 | D |
| 26.12.25 | ACN | Egypt vs South Africa | 1-0 | W |
Egypt collected three wins, one draw and one loss in their last five outings. They scored nine goals across those games while conceding just four. Defensive solidity stood out in tighter fixtures, yet the semifinal exposed issues against high-pressing opponents. Salah and supporting attackers delivered in wins, but finishing dried up when it mattered most. Overall, the run highlights consistency mixed with vulnerability in big moments.
Nigeria Results
Nigeria enter this playoff after a grueling semifinal penalty defeat to Morocco. The Super Eagles impressed with fluid attacking play throughout the tournament. Fatigue from the extended match could play a role here.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 14.01.26 | ACN | Nigeria vs Morocco | 0-0 (2-4 pens) | L |
| 10.01.26 | ACN | Algeria vs Nigeria | 0-2 | W |
| 05.01.26 | ACN | Nigeria vs Mozambique | 4-0 | W |
| 30.12.25 | ACN | Uganda vs Nigeria | 1-3 | W |
| 27.12.25 | ACN | Nigeria vs Tunisia | 3-2 | W |
Nigeria secured four wins and one loss in their previous five matches, netting 12 goals and conceding four. Their attack clicked impressively in group and quarterfinal stages with clinical finishing. The semifinal stalemate against Morocco revealed resilience under pressure, though penalties proved costly. Fatigue from extra time and shootout might linger. This form positions them as dangerous even in a consolation game.
Egypt vs Nigeria Head-to-Head (Last 5 Matches)
These sides have produced competitive encounters in recent years, often decided by fine margins. Egypt hold some historical edge in certain periods, but Nigeria gained the upper hand lately. The record shows balanced rivalry with goals on both ends in several clashes.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result |
| 16.12.25 | FI | Egypt vs Nigeria | 2-1 |
| 11.01.22 | ACN | Nigeria vs Egypt | 1-0 |
| 26.03.19 | FI | Nigeria vs Egypt | 1-0 |
| 29.03.16 | ACN | Egypt vs Nigeria | 1-0 |
| 25.03.16 | ACN | Nigeria vs Egypt | 1-1 |
Nigeria won three of the last five meetings, Egypt took one and one ended level. Goals stayed low in most fixtures, averaging under 2.5 total. Recent clashes favored defensive discipline over open exchanges. Nigeria’s slight dominance in this sample adds intrigue to the matchup.
Predicted Starting Lineups
These are the predicted starting lineups for the Egypt vs Nigeria third-place playoff in the Africa Cup of Nations on January 17, 2026. Formations are based on recent tournament patterns and team preferences, with Egypt likely sticking to a balanced setup featuring their key attackers and Nigeria opting for attacking fluidity despite fatigue concerns. Note that these remain predictions as official confirmations often come closer to kickoff.
Egypt predicted lineup
El Shenawy (GK), Hany (DF), Hegazi (DF), Abdelmonem (DF), Fatouh (DF), Attia (MF), Ashour (MF), Trezeguet (MF), Marmoush (MF), Salah (FW), Trézéguet (FW).
Nigeria predicted lineup
Nwabali (GK), Osayi-Samuel (DF), Ajayi (DF), Awaziem (DF), Onyemaechi (DF), Ndidi (MF), Onyeka (MF), Iwobi (MF), Lookman (MF), Adams (FW), Simon (FW).
Injured and Questionable Players
Several key players miss out or remain doubtful for this bronze-medal clash due to injuries, suspensions, or recovery issues from the semifinals. Nigeria face particular challenges at the back and up front, while Egypt appear relatively stable but monitor minor knocks.
| Team | Player | Reason |
| Nigeria | Bassey | Suspended (yellow cards accumulation) |
| Nigeria | Dessers | Ankle injury |
| Nigeria | Osimhen | Doubtful (withdrawal risk from semifinal shootout fatigue) |
| Nigeria | Alebiosu | Doubtful (recovery ongoing) |
| Egypt | None major reported | Minor rest considerations for some squad players |
Key Match Factors and Team News
Both squads face challenges heading into this bronze-medal decider after intense semifinals. Motivation varies with some players eyeing club returns. Tactical adjustments and individual battles will likely prove decisive.
- Egypt missing creative spark in semifinal against Senegal’s press;
- Nigeria dealing with fatigue after extra time and penalties versus Morocco;
- Reports of potential player reluctance in Nigeria for this fixture;
- Mohamed Salah remains fit and motivated to sign off positively;
- Victor Osimhen’s form key for Nigeria’s attack in recent wins;
- Set-piece vulnerabilities exposed for both in knockout rounds;
- Neutral venue in Casablanca reduces home advantage;
- Possible rotations as clubs recall players soon.
Free Tips on Egypt vs Nigeria
This section offers practical, match-specific free betting tips drawn from the statistical patterns in Egypt and Nigeria’s recent performances, their head-to-head record, and broader contextual elements surrounding the third-place playoff. These pointers aim to help identify potential value without repeating the core team news or tactical observations already covered. Focus remains on data-driven angles that stand out for this particular bronze-medal clash in Casablanca.
- Recent scoring trends show Nigeria averaging over two goals per game in their last five matches while Egypt managed under two in most fixtures, pointing toward an edge in attacking productivity for the Super Eagles in open games;
- Head-to-head encounters between these sides frequently stay low-scoring with three of the previous five producing two goals or fewer, suggesting caution on high-goal expectations despite current form;
- Nigeria’s strong away record in the tournament, including clean-sheet wins and multi-goal outputs against varied opposition, indicates they handle neutral or challenging venues effectively;
- Player-specific momentum favors Nigeria’s forwards, who converted chances at a higher rate in knockout rounds compared to Egypt’s attack, which relied heavily on individual moments rather than sustained pressure;
- Fatigue from Nigeria’s penalty shootout semifinal appears offset by their deeper squad rotation options, allowing them to maintain intensity where Egypt showed signs of running out of ideas late in their last defeat.
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Egypt vs Nigeria Match Prediction 2026
Nigeria appear better placed to claim third place given their stronger recent scoring output and attacking depth. Egypt battled hard throughout but looked blunt in the semifinal, conceding late without response. Nigeria’s underlying metrics from group wins suggest they handle pressure well, even if tired. Fatigue could open space for counters, favoring the Super Eagles. Egypt vs Nigeria odds reflect Nigeria as slight favorites in this context. The matchup should produce goals from transitional play and individual quality, with Nigeria edging it through better momentum.
Our Prediction: Egypt 1-2 Nigeria
| Prediction Type | Prediction | Odds |
| Match Result | Nigeria Win | 2.06 |
| Both Teams to Score | Yes | 1.83 |
| Total Goals | Over 2.5 | 2.02 |
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